cou1 sam1操心
Jyutpingcou1 sam1
Yalechōu sām
Definition
To worry about, expend effort on, or care deeply for someone or something.
colloquialemotionfamily
How it's used
Focuses on the mental effort or anxiety spent on someone else's behalf rather than just general anxiety. It implies a sense of responsibility or caretaking, often used by parents regarding their children or by someone looking after a project. It carries a slightly more active, burdensome connotation than just being worried.
Examples
You don't need to worry about me, I can handle it.
She is always worrying about the kids, it is very tiring.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple nervousness or anxiety about a future event. It specifically implies an active, ongoing concern or effort directed toward a person or a task.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
